Daily Tip June 27: Good Habits in Wire Wrapping

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
June 27, 2010

Question:

I am just getting started in the wonderful and exciting world of working with wire and gemstones. I love working with natural stones and would like to know how to attach the wire to the stones to secure it. Should I use cement glue, instant glue liquid or are there other methods? Some of my stones are small and the wire slips off. Any and all help would be very much appreciated.

-Michele in Clinton, Connecticut

Answer:

Glue? Never! As you are just beginning, it is my opinion that it is important not to develop any “quick fix,” or bad habits. Wire jewelry is a lot of fun to make, and it is easy to become so excited that you want to jump into more advanced patterns and ideas that you have not yet developed the proper techniques to execute well yet.

The best experience will come from using the wire gauge, shape and size as well as the beads/stone shape and sizes recommended by the original designer. After you are familiar with the necessary techniques, if you would like to downsize a pattern by using a smaller stone, then downsize the wire gauge to compensate.

For example, if a pendant design calls for 21-gauge square wire and a 22x30mm cab, and you want to use an 18x13mm cab, then change the wire gauge to 22 or 24. To keep your stones from slipping out, be sure to execute each of the pattern’s moves exactly, sometimes adding a couple of extra pulls at the corners or larger round areas.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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2 Comments

1. 

   Traci Regner

   June 27, 2010 at 1:57 pm

   Dale is the ultimate instructor!!! If you only take advice from one person it should be Dale! Her instructional videos are awesome and if you EVER have the chance to take a person to person class with her you should jump at it. I have her Beginner Series and am awaiting excitedly for her Intermediate Series to get here. Thank you Dale for sharing all your wisdom and tricks.

   Sincerely,
   A VERY satisfied customer!
   • 

     dalecgr

     June 27, 2010 at 2:13 pm

     Wow Traci – thanks so much! I really enjoy what I do and a lot of my personal inspiration comes from you – my students : )